The Diabetes Teaching Center at UCSF Medical Center provides instruction and information about diabetes management, emphasizing the importance of individualized care and patient empowerment by teaching people how to best manage their condition. The center's programs focus on helping patients make more consistent and appropriate adjustments in their therapy and lifestyle.

As part of a major academic medical center, the Diabetes Teaching Center has access to the latest scientific research and treatment options for diabetes. The center draws on UCSF's years of clinical experience and offers participants treatment plans to optimize diabetes control.

The objectives of the Diabetes Teaching Center are to help those with diabetes learn how to:

Manage diabetes on a day-to-day basis with confidence

Prevent complications

Assist their primary care doctors to best control of their condition

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Diabetes Classes and Workshops

Classes and workshops are designed to help diabetics be more proactive in controlling their condition. Topics covered include:

Types of diabetes mellitus, causes and effects as well as treatment goals

In-depth workshops are offered for adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Groups are organized by type of diabetes and insulin use. The insulin therapy workshop is three and a half days, while the oral diabetes medication course is two days. The center also provides individual counseling and insulin pump instruction. The center helps facilitate a supportive network for those living with diabetes.

Referrals to the Diabetes Teaching Center can be made by any doctor or health care facility, or patients may call directly to enter the program. Some insurance companies require authorization from a primary care provider.

The Diabetes Teaching Center's program is certified by the American Diabetes Association.

Research and Clinical Trials

Parking

Parking at Parnassus

Public parking for an hourly fee at UCSF Medical Center is available in the seven-level Millberry Union Garage at 500 Parnassus Ave. There are two garage entrances — one on the north side of Parnassus Avenue and another on Irving Street, just east of Third Avenue.

Another garage with an hourly fee, at 350 Parnassus Ave., is open Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Metered street parking is rarely available.

Patients being admitted to the hospital may be dropped off at the circular driveway leading to the main entrance at 505 Parnassus Ave. This area also may be used to pick up patients who are being discharged.

For more information about parking at Parnassus, call Campus Parking Services at 476-2566.

Valet Parking Service

Valet parking service is available at the Ambulatory Care Center (ACC) at 400 Parnassus Ave. from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The valet service is free but patients must pay regular parking fees. For more information about the valet service, call (415) 476-6200.

A UCSF "greeter" also is available at the ACC from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to assist patients find their way.

Public Transportation

Parnassus

UCSF Medical Center is accessible via Muni streetcar line N-Judah*, which stops at Second Avenue and Irving Street, and the following Muni bus lines, which stop in front of the hospital: